Spices to Avoid with a Nut Allergy

With this type of allergy, your body misidentifies the protein in nuts as harmful and stimulates your immune system to fight it, which can lead to symptoms like:

  • Hives or skin rash
  • Swelling, often in your lips, tongue or eyelids
  • Itchy mouth and throat
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Hoarseness
  • Coughing
  • Wheezing or shortness of breath
  • Digestive issues like stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea
  • Lightheadedness

Warning

Some people can have an extreme allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, where your throat closes up and makes it difficult to breathe, per the Cleveland Clinic. Seek medical care immediately if this happens to you.

Spices to Avoid With a Tree Nut Allergy

Cross-contamination is often the reason a spice (or any other food product, for that matter) can trigger your nut allergy, per the Cleveland Clinic. In other words, spices can potentially contain tiny amounts of nut protein if processed in a facility that also handles peanuts or tree nuts. Peanut has also been used as filler in certain spices, which can likewise cause an allergic response, according to the AAAAI.

  • Cumin: While cumin is not a nut, the FDA previously recalled the spice because it used peanuts as a filler, per the AAAAI.
  • Spice mixes: Spice blends may also contain cumin, so double-check the label before you eat it.

Spice vs. Nut Allergy

A nut allergy won't suddenly cause an allergic response to spices. So if you notice that you regularly have a reaction to a particular spice that doesn't contain nuts, you may be allergic to the spice itself or the plant it comes from, per the AAAAI.

But note that an allergic response to spices differs from having a reaction to spicy food, like dishes that contain hot pepper powders. While the hot components of spicy food can cause a burning sensation or indigestion, this is not an allergic response. Instead, look out for allergy symptoms like swelling, itching, rashes and trouble breathing.

According to the AAAAI and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, individual spice allergies can occur with:

  • Oregano
  • Thyme
  • Coriander
  • Caraway seed
  • Cumin
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Celery
  • Mustard
  • Fennel
  • Parsley

Tip

If you have an allergic reaction to nuts or other foods, it's best to talk to your doctor to determine which spices to exclude from your diet.

Other Foods to Look Out For

While there aren't many spices to avoid with a nut allergy, other products used to season food may contain traces of nut products like nut oil, ground nuts, nut meal, nut butter or nut flour, per Food Allergy Research & Education.

Accordingly, it's best to check the labels of the following seasonings:

  • Glazes
  • Sauces like hot sauce, mole, gravy, pesto or curry
  • Marinades
  • Salad dressing

Read more on: livestrong